Not sure how much we can expect this off-season. I'd start with our MLE and retaining Cole Aldrich. Honestly believe we could get similar production to Tyson Chandler outta Aldrich if only he were used more. Cole showed me enough in limited duty that we should bring him back for next year, esp. if we wind up moving Chandler. No-brainer on the size/rebounding/rim protection aspects alone...I would start with a vet minimum offer for Aldrich--hopefully that's enough; and if that didn't work (say there's competition out there, someone comes along and offers him $2.5-3mm per), I'd seriously consider offering him part of the limited MLE to match. Ideally, I'd love to offer Patty Mills the full MLE but that might be a longshot... Mills looked great again last night -- 26 points on national TV -- excels/fills in admirably whenever he's been inserted into the starting lineup over the last 2 season for Tony Parker...This guy can definitely run his own team -- it's the only thing SA can't match if we came and offered the entire limited mid-level starting at $3.278mm -- I think they'd match a 3-yr/$10mm deal but they can't offer him a starting role, not while Parker's still there---that's where we could have the upper hand. Gotta come hard and heavy with our best offer to even have a chance at this guy -- are we prepared to do that? Steve Kerr did the SA/Dallas broadcast last night for TNT -- he had a lot of nice things to say about Mills--if he winds up being our coach, maybe that could help us when the time comes. If it looks like Patty stays in SA, I'd make sure I got Cole back at least, then go from there. That would pretty much put a wrap on the bigger spending -- if we could get Mills with a full tax-paying MLE offer and re-up Aldrich on a vet minimum deal, that's be great. What more could we possibly ask for, being over the cap? Given our situation, Mills/Aldrich together would be a coup! I'd then shift my focus to the following:
• Dangle Chandler, Shumpert and even Hardaway Jr. out there and see what I could get for each guy. If we keep Melo, these are our 3 main trading chips.
• Lastly, consider fortifying with the following low-risk/high-reward types on league-minimum deals to round out the roster -- look for universal talents that fit REGARDLESS of whether or not Melo comes back, REGARDLESS of who's already on the roster. The idea is to add and audition the best cheap talent we can get our hands on -- think in terms of the following: adding more size and skill up front; adding more toughness/rebounding/another shot-blocker to hopefully go along with Aldrich; adding more scoring; adding more athleticism; contemplate adding another decent SG option and a little more talent/skill at PG:
- 7' C Marcus Cousin
- 6'10" C/PF Daniel Orton
- 6'8" PF Rich Howell
- 6'9" SF Devin Ebanks
- 6'8" SG/SF DeQuan Jones
- 6'8" SF Chris Wright (if not retained by Milwaukee)
- 6'6" SG/SF Glen Rice Jr. (if not retained by Washington)
- 6'6" SG Terrence Williams
- 6'5" SG Patrick Christopher
- 6'4" SG BJ Young (Not sure why this guy never got proper PT while with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the DL. He barely played there -- then got traded to the Delaware 87ers and over the last 10 games of the season or so, he played more and played well. Not sure of this kid's status, if he'll play for Delaware next season or what. Bottom line is this kid's one of the highest upside players in the entire NBDL bar none...I'd definitely invite Young to SL and then if he didn't make the NBA roster, I'd guarantee him a spot on our new Westchester DL team and develop him to the fullest. Huge offensive potential. Could be something close to Monta Ellis - might even be able to play some PG)
- 6'2" PG/SG Seth Curry (44 last night for Santa Cruz)
- 6'1" PG Kalin Lucas
- 6'1" PG Curtis Jerrells
- 6'2" PG Jeremy Pargo
- 6'0" PG Sherron Collins
These are just some of the guys I personally like that fit the above mandate; guys we could get on the cheap that fit the bill. The pool of these types of players is large. Scour the landscape looking for the best of the best in this category, leave no stone unturned in the process. Player options for year 2 are a must for any keeper.
And this isn't even considering the draft -- as of right now, we have no picks. If we can pull off a deal or 2 to get into this draft, God-willing we come up with a 1st round pick, that's gravy. Icing on the cake..Not sure what else we could realistically expect Phil do this off-season outside of replacing the head coach and hopefully adding a better basketball mind in the GM role. If we executed a game plan like this, I'd be ecstatic.
4/10/2014 9:30 PM